First cosmetic active ingredient coming from brown algae biorefineries May 17, 2018

The GENIALG consortium are delighted to announce that project partner Lessonia have won the Green Ingredient Award at the 2018 In-Cosmetics Global event, which took place in Amsterdam from 17-19 April. The award is given to the cosmetic ingredient that makes a significant environmental/social difference in the area of sustainability.

Lessonia’s winning ingredient is Fucoreverse, a pioneering anti-aging ingredient derived from a compound found in brown algae. In a study with 42 subjects, the ingredient produced a significant reduction in wrinkle depth, with a reduction of 9.1% after 30 days compared with a placebo.

The seaweed used in the extraction was Laminaria, harvested in the extreme conditions of the Iroise Sea off the coast of France. it was the seaweed’s innate ability to respond to these conditions that brought it to the attention of Lessonia researchers. The Laminaria secrete fucose compounds, which have excellent protective and restorative properties to cope with the harsh Atlantic environment. Researchers extracted the compounds to take advantage of these properties for cosmetic use, and with further refinement and experimentation the Fucoreverse ingredient was synthesised.

The development of Fucoreverse is a breakthrough for the cosmetics industry, being the first active cosmetic ingredient derived from brown algae biorefineries. It is hoped that many more such ingredients will be developed from further research into these important aquatic plants.

Seaweed, or macroalgae, has long been of interest to researchers as a valuable source of diverse bioactive compounds which have great potential for use in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries, in addition to others. The GENIALG project aims to boost the seaweed industry by designing high-yield cultivation systems which are economically and technically feasible.